The Advantages of a Blank Slate Maine Wedding Venue

With all of the beautiful choices you will have when searching for the perfect Maine wedding venue, why not let your imagination run wild and choose a blank slate venue.  A blank slate venue simply means, everything you will need for your wedding will be brought on site from outside vendors.

I know that may sound daunting at first, but look at it as an opportunity to get those creative juices flowing!  With a blank slate barn venue, such as William Allen Farm, you can enjoy the best of both worlds, a covered, indoor space that flows naturally to wide open spaces, a pond and lovely perennial gardens.

A blank slate barn venue will offer you the freedom to completely build from the ground up your perfect day.  A day which will truly reflect your own style and vision.  A day in which you can show your family and friends just how special this new beginning really is by adding your own touches and personality through design and décor.

For a classic feel, you may choose gold chiavari chairs and your tables draped in elegant linens.  You will have the ability to think outside the box and bring your colors into your table scape with your linen choices.  You don’t have to settle for white!  Maybe you even opt to drape the beams in the barn for a dramatic effect.  Or add floral rings around our lovely chandeliers.

For a more rustic feel, you envision cross back chairs and farm tables with a family style dinner for your guests. 

Maybe you would like to add some bistro lighting in the barn as well for a nice soft glow in the barn as the sun goes down and the dancing begins!

Whether you want a laid back lobster bake or the traditional plated dinner for your guests, donuts or classic cake for dessert, the choice is yours.  The possibilities are endless!

Don’t be intimidated by a blank slate venue, look at it is an opportunity to show your creativity by working with the space and its natural surroundings.  We would love the opportunity to show you all the endless opportunities you will have here at the William Allen Farm to really put your own mark on your wedding day! 

CAPTURE YOUR BIG DAY IN VIDEO

Nothing captures an event like film footage! Consider hiring a Videographer for your wedding day to capture those special moments forever on DVD. A few tips from The Wedding Book by Mindy Weiss may help you find the best service providers and avoid some common pitfalls.

First, do a little research! Fortunately, William Allen Farm has two wonderful Videographers in our “PreferredVendor” list. We encourage you to ask them questions, such as what to expect in video image & sound quality, lighting concepts, and any special effects that might be used. Find out how much raw footage will be shot versus edited video, what final file format you can expect, how soon the final format will arrive, and if there will there be shareable formats for social media. Also consider any copyright constraints, since typically the copyright lies with the Videographer.

Will your wedding video be in snippets, or flow in chronological order? Does the cost include an Assistant? These are a few more questions to ask and Media Northeast and Meg Simone Wedding Films are two great places to start:

In order to capture a couple’s authentic emotions during the wedding, MediaNortheast gives clients a choice in their style of film, since each couple has a unique attitude, style and personality. Meg Simone Wedding Films specializes in classic wedding videos with a natural approach -- to create a personal heirloom to be enjoyed for generations to come. It’s important to request samples of wedding videos to see the company's production quality and to watch a few full-length versions so that you can see the overall film, not just the highlights or quick snippets. 

When going over expectations for your wedding video, be sure to tell your Videographer the important people they should focus on while filming – and in the same turn, any situations they might avoid! Talk with the Videographer about time limits for shooting the Ceremony vs. Reception, and how long they should stay after the cake is cut. This day is all about you and your loved ones, and your Videographer wants to give you the best wedding video that reflects your unique love story to enjoy for decades to come. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, then relax and enjoy your Big Day when the dates finally arrives. Congratulations, from William Allen Farm!

OUR EXPERIENCED VENDORS CAN ACCOMMODATE YOUR UNIQUE WEDDING STYLE

Your Maine wedding is as unique as you are! At William Allen Farm, we understand you have a vision for your big day – for its look and feel, and maybe even how you envision your guests remembering it. It could be rustic and elegant, or more chic and formal, all in our beautiful country barn setting. A survey published by The Knot cited more than half the weddings in Maine are considered “semi-formal,” while typically one quarter is labeled as “casual.” The rest are “black tie” and formal. But we know you are not typical! William Allen Farm can accommodate any style wedding, with fully customizable features, including assistance by our list of Preferred Vendors with diverse offerings and styles of their own.

Our Preferred Vendors have well over 100 years of combined experience working with couples for their wedding day and the reception. You are certainly welcome to bring your own photographer, caterer, florist, etc. (see our FAQ). However, our local Preferred Vendors have been highly vetted and offer a deep understanding of maximizing our versatile venue space. 

Click here to download and print a list of all our Preferred Vendors by category: including music, bar service, photographers, wedding planners, transportation, beauty, and more!

 As we approach another Fall and Winter season in New England, it is a particularly beautiful time of year to have a wedding. The air is crisp and cool, the sunlight softens, and bright fall colors evoke feelings of romance and coziness. 

Come visit our venue, and we would love to show you the magic of having a Maine wedding at William Allen Farm. 

www.WilliamAllenFarm.com

#NewEnglandWedding #CoastalWedding #MaineWedding #FallWedding #WinterWedding #RusticWedding

Kirsten & Zack's Wedding

William Allen Farm

284 Allen Road  Pownal, ME 04069

Phone: 207-317-6663 – Ask for Heidi Curry

Learn more about William Allen Farm...

GET MARRIED IN MAINE

GET MARRIED IN MAINE – IT’S SUPER ROMANTIC AND EASY TO DO

            Most people aren’t aware that Maine is a romance state, and for out-of-state residents, Maine makes getting married as easy as falling off a log.

            Like other states, you’ll first need a marriage license. Maine marriage licenses can be issued on a walk-in basis. It only takes about an hour. To save time, download and fill in the Marriage Intention Application in black ink and bring it into the Clerk’s office. You can find the application at Maine.gov. DON’T SIGN IT! It must be signed in the presence of the Clerk’s staff. Licenses are issued between 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM Monday through Friday, and until 5:30 PM on Thursdays. The cost is a mere $40. If you figure you’re going to be married for at least 40 years, then that averages out to $1 a year. That’s quite a bargain.

            Out-of-state residents who wish to marry in Maine, if neither of you is a resident of Maine, then you may apply in any Maine town office. It need not be the same town where you plan to be married. Once you are issued a license, you have 90 days to use it, and you are free to marry anywhere in the state, (but you must get married within the state of Maine). There is also no waiting period from the time you’re issued a marriage license until your wedding can take place, which means you can get your license and get married at William Allen Farm all on the same day.

            So, what do you need to obtain a marriage license? Again, it’s very simple.

·         A photo ID, such as a driver’s license

·         If this is not the first marriage for one or both of you, you must bring a certified copy (raised seal) of the divorce form or death certificate of the last spouse (photocopies are not accepted)

·         You must be over 18 years of age. Written parental consent is required for an applicant under 18

·         No blood test is required

You see, I told you it was easy. Okay, so now you have your license, who will marry you?

The following individuals are authorized to perform marriages in Maine:

·         Ordained ministers of the gospel

·         A person licensed to preach by an association of ministers, religious seminary or ecclesiastical body

·         Judges of justices (residents of Maine only)

·         Lawyers admitted to the Maine Bar (residents of Maine only)

·         Maine Notaries

Now, here’s the best part: Suppose you want your favorite aunt to marry you? Or you want your best friend to officiate? That’s easy, too. All they must do is become an ordained minister of the gospel, which can be done online.

Here are two of the many sites you should check out to become an ordained minister:

·         United National Ministry

·         Universal Life Church Monastery

When you are married, you will give your Marriage License to the person performing the ceremony to complete the “ceremony” section of the marriage license. This includes obtaining the signatures of two witnesses and the signature of the officiant. The officiant is responsible for filing the completed marriage license within 7 days with the municipal clerk at the municipality where the license was issued.

            That’s it! *

            We, at William Allen Farm, hope you’ll consider getting married in Maine. If you do, we’d love to be your go-to setting to celebrate your most joyous day. Sixty-three untouched acres, a sumptuous open lawn, a picturesque lake, and the old-world charm of our 200-year-old barn are sure to fulfill the needs of your Maine Dream Wedding.

*Much of the information found here was taken directly from the Maine.gov website. This information is abridged. Please refer to Maine.gov for the official procedures and requirements on how to obtain a marriage license in the state of Maine, as well as the requirements regarding individuals who are authorized to perform marriages in Maine.

 

http://www.williamallenfarm.com/

The Rehearsal Dinner - What not to do!

William Allen Farm, Your Maine Dream-Wedding Center

The Rehearsal Dinner - What not to do!

Years back, it was customary to hold a rehearsal dinner after a wedding ceremony run-through. It was attended by the bride and groom, the parents and family of both, the entire bridal party, and the Celebrant (usually a man of the cloth). The dinner was normally held at a restaurant. It was a semi-formal affair, and although it was set aside as a time for everyone to mix and mingle, it usually turned out to be an event in which the only people you mixed with were those who sat on either side of you.

Today, there are no rules. Rehearsal dinners happen with or without a ceremony run-through. They can be a stand-up cheese-and-crackers affair, a sumptuous banquet, or anything in between.

At William Allen Farm, we can provide for a tented lawn-rehearsal dinner, or a more formal event held in our famous, 200-year-old New England barn (you will need your own caterer to supply the food).

If you plan on holding your wedding ceremony at our farm, it’s advantageous to rehearse your wedding the evening before to prevent any problems that might arise. Everyone, from your parents to your bridal party, should understand what it is they need to do and at what point they need to do it.

It’s always a good idea to send out invitations to the rehearsal dinner. Responses will give you an accurate head count for your caterer. Invitations will also clear up sticky misunderstandings as to who is invited, and who is not, such as: What about Aunty Joan? She’s not really your aunt, but you’ve always called her aunty and she’s usually at the family functions. I’m certain she’ll want to know if she’s invited.

Whether you’re planning a simple after-rehearsal get-together, or a more elaborate rehearsal dinner party, here are a few “Don’ts” you may wish to consider:

1.      Have a practice ceremony, don’t have a practice wedding. All too often, gracious hosts over-feed their guests the night before the wedding. Trust me, there are many who will not enjoy the dinner being served at your wedding if they’ve over-eaten the night before.

2.      Don’t have an open bar at the rehearsal dinner. Keep the alcohol consumption to a minimum. Be on the safe side, beer and wine are adequate. Fruit punch, ice tea, soda, sparkling water, they’re all good. If you decide to serve alcohol, how much should you have on hand? Err on the side of too little rather than too much. Too many wedding photos are spoiled because family or bridal party members look like they feel—hung over.

3.      Don’t start your rehearsal late in the evening, and keep it to one hour at most. People get bored and hungry mighty fast, especially children. You don’t want a cranky kid to spoil your evening.

4.      Don’t choose a restaurant far from the rehearsal. Remember that cranky kid I was talking about? They come in all sizes and ages from 2 to 92.

5.      Finally, don’t forget to have fun. You’re not the wedding planner (although you probably planned most of it yourselves). It’s not your job to make certain that people are having a good time. You’ve done your part, now it’s time to kick off your shoes, dance, take plenty of photos, and relax. Your big day is tomorrow.

If you do not plan to have your rehearsal dinner at William Allen Farm, here is a list of restaurants close by that you may wish to consider:

·         Azure Café, 123 Main St., Freeport, ME 04032 (207) 865-1237

·         Harraseeket Inn, 162 Main St., Freeport, ME 04032 (207) 865-9377

·         Linda Bean Maine Kitchen and Topside Tavern, 88 Main St., Freeport, ME 04032 (207) 865-9835

·         Conundrum Wine Bistro, 117 US-1, Freeport, ME 04032 (207) 865-0303

·         Royal River Grill House, 106 Lafayette St., Yarmouth, ME 04096 (207) 846-1226

·         The Brunswick Inn, 165 Park Row, Brunswick, ME 04011 (207) 729-4914

·         Brunswick Inn and Tavern, 4 Noble St., Brunswick, ME 04011 (207) 837-6565

·         Enoteca Athena, 97 Main St., Brunswick, ME 04011 (207) 721-0100

Enjoy The Best of Both Worlds

A William Allen Farm Wedding - Enjoy The Best of Both Worlds

People love Maine weddings, especially when the setting is an authentic 200-year-old barn. There’s nothing like a pastoral ceremony—the trees, the flowers, the sunset­—you couldn’t find a more romantic backdrop.

William Allen Farm is the premier barn wedding venue with our famous 200-year-old New England barn that can accommodate up to 200 guests. It offers a rustic setting, yet can be converted into an elegant, more formal affair. Our sixty-three acres is the site of picturesque old stone walls, a lovely pond, flower gardens, and an open lawn that’s ideal for any size event. It is the perfect location for your Maine Dream Wedding.

And yet, only 15 short minutes away is downtown Freeport, home of Maine’s famous L.L.Bean’s flagship store. Freeport, located along the beautiful shores of Casco Bay, is packed with outlet stores, such as: Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Calvin Klein, Coach Factory, Cole Haan, J.Crew, The Body Shop, Tommy Hilfiger, and many, many more. Your guests will love visiting and shopping in Freeport.

For guests who are not shoppers, there are plenty of museums to visit. The beautiful town of Brunswick, Maine is only 25 minutes away. Here, at The Bowdoin College Museum of Art, your guests can peruse an antiquities collection that contains over 1,800 Assyrian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Byzantine objects. European paintings, Oriental art, illustrated manuscripts, sculptures, and decorative arts are all part of the collection. Brunswick was also home of the famous Civil War hero, Joshua L. Chamberlain. Guests can tour his home, now a museum, and learn about the general’s accomplishments before, during, and after the war.

Speaking of museums…Portland, Maine, home of The Portland Museum of Art, is only 30 minutes away.  This museum holds one of the greatest collections of American, European, and Contemporary art on the eastern coast. Their special exhibitions are visited by people from all over the world.

Portland is Maine’s largest city and the state’s cultural center. Your guests can enjoy fabulous, award-winning restaurants, theater, nightlife, and sightseeing. So much to do. So little time to do it.

In addition, a full-range of accommodations, from high-end hotels to charming bed and breakfast nooks are available a short distance from our farm.

• Adventures
• Arts and Culture
• Dining and Nightlife
• Golf
• Fishing
• Boating
• Swimming
• Hiking
• Parks
• Sightseeing
• And More

They’re all within minutes from William Allen Farm - your Maine Dream Wedding Center.

Call or email us to find out more about events and activities in and around our location. We’d love to hear from you.

www.williamallenfarm.com